Mr. Erickson lost a leg and hip because of cancer in 1965, but returned to his position, using crutches while he coached. He retired in 1969.

Mr. Erickson was a coach at Trinity College in Hartford from 1937 to 1942. He was head coach for the college's freshman football, basketball and baseball teams, and also the varsity basketball team.

He also was involved in founding Windsor's Little League baseball program.

Mr. Erickson received many honors for his coaching, including the New England Sportswriters' Gold Key Award. He was an inductee of the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame. Named in his honor are the Erickson League, which is the New England secondary schools' league, a scholarship fund and the gymnasium at Loomis Chaffee.

He received bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Springfield College. During his college years, he was captain of the basketball team and a left-handed pitcher in baseball.